The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-05-14
4" TARIPP REHnRMn

uoversy carried on Tor some time between
Prof. Boltwood, Mr.. James and Mr.. Trim
BILE, upon the subject of Tariff Reform,
has been both interesting and instructive
! am free MISUNDERSTANDING that rev
enue bears about the same relation 70 4
protective tariff that misdemeanor doel
TO crime. l, of course, can see little
merit In Mr.. Trimble's articles, excep
their earnestness. Most men write fol
protection as writes the paid attorney; but
Mr., Trimble seems TO accept and embrace
the doctrine, for its own sake, In all SINGER
lily. First, last and midst, he has illumin
ated his theory by constant reference TO III
operation on glass. That he has embel
ished his articles by referring to tariff
upon glass, by argument, by assertion, by
illustration, is natural. Mr.. Trimble is a
manufacturer Of glass, and draws for his
argument upon the field of his greatest
familiarity. And l mean no disrespect to
the gentleman when l say, that If upon
anything he may be supposed to under.
stand the operation and effect of a tari8 1, is
upon glass wish to meet Mr.. Trimble
upon this issue. In this, the chosen field Of
his cwn experience. invite him to dis,
cusslon of the subject through the columns
of the FREE TRADER.
The position of Mr. Trimble, as gathered
from his articles In the Republican,, may
be summarized as follows; That proec-
ton built up and continues the glass indus
try in America; that 1t has increased the
wages of the glass worker; that it has CIV
en to capital profitable investment, to
labor remunerative employment, and to the
nation cheaper glass than could have been
obtained under free trade; that the indus
try depends alone upon protection for Its
continuance, because, and solely because,
of cheaper labor In Europe; that TO strike
down protection would ruin the industry,
and reduce Its employees to the condition of
"paupers, like those of Europe" ETC., etc.
Now, that the issue shall be distinctly and
sharply made, assert that protection did
not build up the industry; that it did not
raise the wages of labor, and does not keep
them up; that 1t does not give to capital
profitable investment, to labor remunera-
tive employment, or to the nation cheap
ened glass, that free trade would materi.
ally aid the manufacturer, would raise the
wages Of the laborer, and cheaper glass to
the consumer; that while the European
laborer may be a pauper, yet that Ameri-
ca2 labor Is the cheapest labor OF earth.
In word, aver that the very reverse of
his position is the truth, and ask his con-
sideration while attempt to show it. And
inasmuch as window glass is packed, the
greater quantity in the smaller bulk, and
can therefore most readily invade our
market and compete with our manufactur-
srs, desire to confine this investigation
more especially to it, and will first address
myself to the question whether the glass
industry in America is the child of Pro.
lection.
The glass Industry was we'll established
in this country before our present govern.
ment was formed, and while we were yet
colonies of Great Britain, and of course be-
fore any tariff was levied whatever, estab-
lished under condition, not only of free
trade, but of absolute repressive legislation
by another country. While yet the colonies
were subject to Great Britain, the glass in.
dustry was one of their leading and most
manufactures, and that too at a
time when the difference between Ameri.
can and European labor was even greater
than now. Glass, as Mr.. Trimble says, is
of lime, soda and sand which
he admits are as cheap here as
there; and the difference in the cost of
glass, he says, is the difference in the Ia
Dor cost of its production. But when the
difference between European and Ameri
can labor was even greater that 1t Is now,
the industry prOspered here under free
trade. What mas been done may be done.
The industry is natural to our country-we
have all the conditions of Its most profita
BILE manufacture. Belgium is our only
in window glass The raw ma
terial is cheaper here than there, from the
sand to the lumber in the finished pack
age and labor Is cheaper here than any
where else upon the face of the earth. We
possess every element for successful COM
petition. The tariff alone prevents us be-
ing great glass exporting nation.
In 1903 the first ship that carried Ameri-
eau product to Europe from jamestown,
Va, carried American made glass. This
was eleven years before the Puritans landed
upon Plymouth Rock. mention this
merely to show the early efforts at glass
making in America AS the colonies grew
he business increased with varying for
une, until the Revolution, when glass was
made In all, or nearly all, the colonies,
Dur present Constitution was adopted, and
he government went into operation under
I in 1859. The first tariff was passed on
he 4th of July, 1889. Under this tariff
glass was given duty of 10 per cent. This
vas the first levied upon glass in America,
md this was levied for revenue, and not